Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges or other exterior surface areas of the hinges, doors, fenders, swing gates or liftgates. NOTE: **Verify current warranty policy to determine if digital imaging pre authorization is required or Pre Approval is required from Regional Office depending on market.** This bulletin involves inspecting and if necessary removing corrosion and refinishing the suspect aluminum panels on the vehicle, hood, door, fenders, hinges, swing gates or liftgate panels.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Dodge Charger body problems
moderate 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
When does it fail?
Of the 17 body complaints filed for the 2017 Dodge Charger, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 12 model years of Dodge Charger in our records for body problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges or other exterior surface areas of the hinges, doors, fenders, swing gates or liftgates. NOTE: **Verify current warranty policy to determine if digital imaging pre authorization is required or Pre Approval is required from Regional Office depending on market.** This bulletin involves inspecting and if necessary removing corrosion and refinishing the suspect aluminum panels on the vehicle, hood, door, fenders, hinges, swing gates or liftgate panels.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges or other exterior surface areas of the hinges, doors, fenders, swing gates or liftgates. NOTE: Digital imaging pre authorization is required for Smart Warranty Base dealers or Pre Approval is required from Regional Office depending on market. This bulletin involves inspecting and if necessary removing corrosion and refinishing the suspect aluminum panels on the vehicle, hood, door, fenders, hinges, swing gates or liftgate panels.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Approved Use of Weld Through Primers This bulletin documents the FCA US LLC position regarding the use of weld through primer when using Squeeze Type Resistance Spot Welding (STRSW) and Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) processes when welding steel body panels and structural components.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Approved Use of Weld Through Primers This bulletin documents the FCA US LLC position regarding the use of weld through primer when using Squeeze Type Resistance Spot Welding (STRSW) and Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) processes when welding steel body panels and structural components.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2017 Dodge Chargers report a pervasive problem with interior door panels separating or warping from the door frame, typically at the seams where the panel meets the window. The separation exposes the interior door assembly and locking mechanisms, sometimes creating visible gaps you can see from outside the car. All four doors can be affected, though passenger-side panels tend to deteriorate first. Owners report the problem starting within the first 2 months to 2 years of ownership, between 32,000 and 64,000 miles, and worsening progressively over weeks and months.
Owners attribute the failure to heat and UV exposure—vehicles parked in direct sun show accelerated panel warping. Dealers have confirmed the panels need replacement, and estimates hover around $1,000. However, Dodge has consistently refused warranty coverage, claiming the defect is "temperature-related" and excluded from warranty, or that the vehicle is out of warranty despite failure occurring early in the service life. Repair attempts at dealer locations have not held; panels have re-separated after replacement. Multiple owners note this is a widespread pattern across the country affecting different Dodge model years.
One complaint also notes corrosion on the hood latch pin on a new vehicle—a fabrication defect with potential safety implications if the corrosion advances.
Same Dodge Charger body reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Interior door panel separation/delamination from door frame
Interior door panels are separating, warping, lifting, peeling, or bowing away from the door frame, particularly at the seams where the panel meets the window opening. The separation exposes interior door assembly components, locking mechanisms, and can create gaps where foreign objects or fingers could enter. Affects front and/or rear doors, sometimes all four doors on the same vehicle.
When: Typically 2–5 years of ownership; failures reported between 32,000 and 64,000 miles; some owners note it began within the first 2 months to 1 year of purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Interior door panel visibly separated, warped, or peeling away from door frame; Gap or separation visible at top of door where panel meets window; All four doors can be affected on the same vehicle; Interior door assembly and locking mechanisms exposed; Deterioration worsens over time (described as 'getting worse' week to week); Occurs when vehicle is parked outdoors; linked to temperature exposure and sun exposure
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosis confirmed door panels need replacement. One owner cited $1,000 repair cost from Dodge. Some vehicles taken to dealer (Victorville Motors, Larry H. Miller Dodge Ram Avondale, Fields Chrysler Jeep Dodge Sanford) but repairs either not completed or re-separated after repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge claimed issue was temperature-related and not covered under extended warranty; Dodge told owners warranty was expired; Dodge provided no recall, TSB, or assistance despite manufacturer awareness; one dealer stated approval from manufacturer was needed but no approval was granted.
Hood latch pin corrosion
Hood latch pin showing corrosion on new vehicles. Potential safety concern if corrosion advances to the point where the latch pin detaches while driving, allowing the hood to open unexpectedly.
When: Noted on brand-new vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Visible corrosion on hood latch pin; Corrosion present from delivery
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
The interior door panels on all four doors are lifting off and peeling away from the doors. The panels are peeling more and more every week. Eventually, it looks as though the panels will completely come off and expose the inner doors.
There is a defect in the fabrication in all the hoods of the Dodge chargers that causes the hood latch pin to corrode. My charger is brand new and has corrosion on the hood. This is a widespread problem. Let unchecked, this could cause accidents if the hood corrodes enough to where the latch pin become detached from the hood while driving.
All four door panels on my 2017 Dodge charger are lifted from the door. This began to occur approximately 2 months ago. I believe that this issue happened when the car is parked outside.
Had body trouble with your 2017 Dodge Charger?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2017 Dodge Charger?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 17 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 34,000 and 57,560 miles, with the median around 45,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 34,000; a quarter make it past 57,560. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Dodge/Charger.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.